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Editors' Review

Nowadays, cookies, temporary files, and various other means of tracking your Web footprint are par for the course. Some of these trackers are useful, while others can be potentially intrusive. Thankfully, there are myriad freeware cleaners out there that help keep your system in check. CCleaner is one of the better ones for its ease of use and powerful cleaning capabilities.

CCleaner's simple and intuitive layout will appeal to users of all skill levels. Its four features -- Cleaner, Registry, Tools, and Options -- are prominently displayed on the left side of the window. We started with the Cleaner first, which breaks down your cleaning options into two tabs: Windows and Applications. The program works by first analyzing your system and then running the cleaner itself. By selecting the appropriate check boxes, we were able to clean our temporary Internet files, cookies, history, and cache in both Internet Explorer and Firefox at the same time, as well as empty our Recycle Bin and rid our computer of Windows log files. The Registry feature acts in the same fashion, letting you check off on the options you'd like to scan for issues. In less than 30 seconds, the program had scanned and displayed a long list of invalid entries that we could then opt to fix or leave alone by unchecking the boxes. In less time than it took to scan, the program fixed the issues we had selected. One note: We did have to run the Registry cleaner three times in a row before it came back with no issues found; each time it came back with fewer and fewer invalid entries. Using the Tools feature, we were able to manage our startup programs and successfully uninstall programs. We especially liked that CCleaner lets you manage your cookies so that you don't delete ones that are useful when browsing the Web. As with all Registry cleaners, we recommend that you proceed with caution before fixing or deleting any files. CCleaner does offer an online help feature, but for basic cleaning, you probably won't need it.

By default, the project opts you in for installing desktop and Start menu shortcuts, as well as adding run and open options in your Context menu. It also opts you in for installing Google Chrome and making it your default browser, so you'll have to uncheck the boxes to opt out. CCleaner installs and uninstalls without leaving any files or folders behind.

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Publisher's Description

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner.

What's new in this version:

Version 3.24.1850 has added Firefox Plugin and Extension management and improved cleaning for Windows MRUs.

I would recommend this program to anyone that wants a good cleaner that's easy to use and does what it says it will, really keeps my pc running good. Great tool to have for free and there is a paid version if you are interested. Thanks CCleaner!

Cons

None that I can see

Summary

Has a lot of option to clean up my PC disks, I'm still use this as the 'mainstream' cleaner for my pc.

This is a great program to help keep your pc clean. It's easy to use and understand. I really like having the choice of having a complex overwrite (35 times), and that it can be used for your recycle bin also. It installs quickly and easily and doesn't take up much disk space and it keeps itself up to date automatically if you want it to and it's free, yay! I also like the uninstall feature and the tools section.

Cons

The only con I have noticed is the registry cleaner. I don't want to use it because the registry is very complex and I'm not an "expert" user.

Summary

I would recommend this program to anyone that wants a good cleaner that's easy to use and does what it says it will, really keeps my pc running good. Great tool to have for free and there is a paid version if you are interested. Thanks CCleaner!

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